UPDATE

STATE’S TOP TREASURER – Wise County Treasurer Katherine Hudson was named the 2018 Texas Outstanding County Treasurer. It’s the highest award for the office, and it was presented last week at the County Treasurers Association of Texas (CTAT) conference in Odessa. Hudson was presented the award for job performance, participation in the state association, and her community involvement. Hudson, who has been county treasurer since August 1997, was CTAT president in 2010-11 and is currently a sector director, representing regions 5-9. She also serves on the scholarship, new treasurers orientation, and legislative committees. Read more in the weekend Wise County Messenger on newsstands Saturday.

CITY MOVES FORWARD WITH LAWSUIT OVER PROTESTS – Protesters with signs gathered at Newark City Hall Wednesday night prior to the council meeting to show support of Philip “Tim” Pixler. Court records on file in the Wise County District Clerk’s Office indicate that the city of Newark filed a lawsuit against Pixler for violation of city ordinances related to junk vehicles and parking issues in October 2017 after Pixler failed to pay $8,000 in fines. Pixler’s camp said the suit is seeking $80,000 in fines accrued over several years. After a closed session, the council voted to move forward with mediation in an attempt to seek a settlement between the city and Pixler. Read more in the weekend Messenger.

MAIN STREET FESTIVAL – The Paradise Main Street Festival is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday downtown. Festivities include musical acts all day, including the Higher Praise Quartet, Brandon Gentry and the Wise County Chorus, among others. There will be a vintage car and tractor show, a collection of cute travel trailers courtesy of the Getaway Gals, vendors, food trucks, quilt show, baking contest, a silent auction and raffle. Guests are encouraged to park at the high school and ride the free shuttle downtown. To enter any of the contests, go to the Paradise Historical Society website, paradisehistoricalsociety.org. Call 940-859-3691.

REUNION RUN – Several Wise County schools will participate in the Reunion Run Saturday morning at the Reunion Grounds behind Joe Wheeler Park. Northwest, Decatur, Bridgeport and Chico will run in the meet. The 6A/5A boys 5K starts at 8 a.m. The 6A/5A girls 3,200 starts at 8:25 a.m. The 1A-4A girls 3,200 starts at 9:40 a.m. The 1A-4A boys 5K starts at 10:05 a.m.

FOOTBALL FRIDAY – Tonight’s football games include Northwest at Fort Worth Southwest, Decatur at Glen Rose, Gainesville at Bridgeport, Paradise at Whitesboro, Boyd at Ponder, Alvord at Petrolia and Tom Bean at Chico.

VOLLEYBALL – Today’s volleyball schedule includes Little Elm at Northwest, Decatur at Bridgeport, Jacksboro at Paradise, Breckenridge at Boyd and Collinsville at Alvord.

BLOOD DRIVE – An American Red Cross blood drive is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Decatur.

REPUBLICAN MEETING – The Wise County Republicans and Wise Republican Women will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, at the Decatur Conference Center. More information can be found at www.wiserepublicans.com or on Facebook at Wise Republican Party.

PROPERTY RIGHTS GROUP MEETING – Wise Citizens for Property Rights will have a group meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at Bridgeport Lions Hall. The meeting is open to anyone in the county wanting to learn more about the upcoming election.

CHURCH SEEKS PROJECTS – CrossRoads Church is asking homebound seniors if they need help with any home projects such as repairs or maintenance on the exterior of their homes, lawn work or a ramp for a service day on Sunday, Oct. 14. Call 940-627-4222 by Oct. 4.

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP – The Wise County Parkinson’s Support Group meets 6 p.m. Tuesday at 609 Medical Center Drive, the old Fit-N-Wise. This month will feature a guest speaker.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT – Aurora will hold its National Night Out 6 p.m. Saturday at the Aurora Ballpark. Hot dogs and sodas will be served. First responders from Wise County, Aurora, Boyd, Newark and Rhome will be on hand meeting residents and giving demonstrations.

BOOK FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND – The Decatur Public Library’s 2nd Annual Same Page Book Festival is Saturday and will feature local authors and sessions for readers and aspiring writers. The festival runs 1-5:30 p.m., and admission is free. Keynote speakers are Doug and Carol Hutchison, authors of “Behind the Texas Badge.” After they speak, the Hutchisons, along with Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin and other law enforcement officers featured in the book will be available for a book signing. Several other authors and poets will also be selling and signing their books. Call 940-393-0290.

FUNERALS – Service for Shirley Mae Russell, 81, of Decatur is 2 p.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur.

SERVICES for Leiland Adcock, 88, of Chico and Ima Ruth Sherman, 80, of Decatur are pending at Hawkins-Decatur.

SERVICE for Cyrus W. Farver, 82, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Oct. 5 at Decatur Bible Church with family burial at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. Hawkins-Decatur is handling arrangements.

PRIVATE MEMORIAL for Jimmy Judd, 64, of Rhome will be held at a later date.

FUNERAL for Billy Ray Gamble, 73, of Bridgeport is 10 a.m. today at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Bridgeport with burial at West Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation is one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

SERVICE for Carol Long, 78, of Justin is 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fort Worth. Family visitation is 7 tonight at the church and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday. Jones Family Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.

MEMORIAL service for Miriam Moore, 92, of Bridgeport is 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Laurence Church in Southlake. Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is handling arrangements.

MEMORIAL service for Arch W. Van Meter, 86, of Fort Worth, formerly of Wise County, is 11 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth with private burial at Thurmond Fairview Cemetery in Rhome.